Vermeer's The Concert

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

The mother of a former republican prisoner facing deportation from America has expressed fears for her son's future.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph from her south Belfast home last night, Ellen McAllister told how she pleaded with the US government to allow her son, Malachy, and two of his children, Sean and Nicola, to remain in New Jersey.

The father-of-four fled his Ormeau Road home in 1998 after a Red Hand Commando gang came within inches of killing his family.

Mrs McAllister issued her plea after the Irish American Unity Conference lobby group claimed the family's deportation was "imminent".

The 77-year-old, who has just returned from a six-week trip to the United States, said the final decision on her son's deportation now rests with senators there.

She claimed her son's family would be "ripped apart" if he was forced to return to Belfast.

Mrs McAllister said: "My son is no threat to anyone. What crimes have my two grandchildren committed?

"I can't believe this is happening and I just hope the politicians allow him to remain in America.

" He hasn't been able to scatter his wife's ashes because he doesn't know where he's going to be in a few weeks time. We hope to know soon one way or the other what's going to happen.

"It will break his heart to bring only two of his children back to Belfast because they will have to start all over again.

"He has been making a positive contribution to America and should be allowed to continue the life that he has led for the last 20 years."

The ex-prisoner told how he had "exhausted" the judicial process in his bid to remain in the United States.

Malachy said: "It's now just a case of waiting to see if the senators can get legislation through which will allow my family to remain in the US.

"This is a humanitarian issue. My kids grew up in America and they don't know anything different. They are being affected by a circumstance which is completely out of their control."

McAllister (50), who has met with former US President Bill Clinton to discuss case, was jailed in the 1980s after being implicated by republican supergrass Harry Kirkpatrick.

Art Hostage comments:

I have the perfect solution, if the U.S. Govt insists on Malachy McAllister leaving the United States, he should be allowed to move just over the border into Canada, why it was Canada from where he entered the United States.

I am sure Prime Minister Harper would be willing to oblige and offer a way out of this unique case.

Once Malachy McAllister is in Canada, then as soon as the stolen Gardner art, Vermeer included, is returned to the Gardner Museum in Boston, Malachy McAllister can return to the United States as a reward for his efforts, and then he can be afforded citizen status.

This plan will suit everyone and prevent Malachy McAllister having to return to Belfast.

I am certain with all the powerful wealthy friends Malachy has gained, not least the Clinton's, funding for this venture will be forthcoming.

From a political perspective, what better way to attract the Irish vote in America, 40 million Americans claim some Irish ancestry, than for Democrats/Republicans to show solidarity with Malachy McAllister as not only a dividend of the Irish Peace Process, but also this Humane act of protecting the McAllister family can be By-partisan and of huge benefit to America as the Land of the Free and a safe haven for those who face persecution if deported.

OK, forget all the flowery rhetoric, the deal is allow Malachy McAllister to settle just inside Canada until he uses his connections to achieve the safe return of the Stolen Gardner Art.

Off the record, we all know the circumstances surrounding the original theft of the Gardner art and the Irish Republican connections.

By allowing Malachy McAllister to remain in the United States, or at the very least, to reside just over the border in Canada, there is much political capital to be made.